Paltio entered a brief trance as Meliradal guided him toward the search for what he could not perceive with his ordinary senses: the missing piece of the scepter lost in the current realm. The young man began to see strange images unfolding before him as if he were immersed in a surreal world. Everything seemed to fluctuate between the real and the imaginary, wrapped in a silvery mist that distorted the boundaries of reality.
"Boy, do not lose yourself. Just follow my voice and stay on the path," warned Meliradal, her firm yet reassuring tone echoing in Paltio's mind like a distant echo.
Suddenly, a luminous path appeared beneath Paltio's feet, outlined by a faint light that contrasted sharply with the surrounding darkness. On either side of the path, currents of air roared with force, threatening to sweep him away like a dry leaf if he dared stray.
Terrified, Paltio advanced carefully, focusing on each step. Then, in the distance, he glimpsed something bright: an intense light that seemed to radiate heat and energy. Without hesitation, he ran toward it, feeling his heart beating fiercely against his chest. Upon reaching it, he could clearly see the place where the sought-after piece of the scepter lay: a clearing surrounded by ancient trees, crowned by a golden mist.
"And now, how do I get out of here?" Paltio asked, looking around anxiously.
"Oh, well…!" responded Meliradal in a mischievous tone before pulling a fan from the folds of her robe and giving the boy a light tap on the head.
Paltio jolted awake in the sanctuary, back with his friends. He brought his hands to his head, rubbing the spot where he'd been hit.
"Ouch! Why do you two only know how to wake me up with a smack?" he complained, still a little dizzy from the abrupt transition.
Meliradal and Golden exchanged an amused glance before bursting into a conspiratorial laugh.
"The good news is that you now know where to find what you're looking for," said Meliradal, skillfully changing the subject with a kind smile.
"You should set out soon. You still have three more realms to visit," she added, her voice tinged with urgency and concern.
"Hey! That's right. We were going to ask you if you know or have any idea about Avocios's whereabouts," interrupted Ron, raising a hand as if he had just remembered something important.
Meliradal sighed deeply, her face reflecting an almost palpable sadness.
"Unfortunately, I have no idea where he is. The last thing I remember was being in a battle… and then, he simply vanished. It was just like with Golden," she explained, briefly glancing at the small being clinging to Paltio. "As for reversing Golden to his natural state… I don't know how to do it. A much more powerful magic trapped him there, and only the one who cast that spell could break it."
The group fell silent for a moment, absorbing the priestess's words. With nothing more to say or do, Meliradal accompanied them to the temple's exit. Before parting ways, she gave them one last look filled with affection.
"Please take care of yourselves," she said in an angelic voice. "I would have loved to join you on this journey, but as you know, I am bound to this place. It's as if invisible chains hold me here forever."
She then turned to Nakia, who was still perched on Alita's shoulder.
"Teach her everything you can, Nakia. I saw great potential in this young woman when I met her. I trust she will be an excellent apprentice," Meliradal instructed with a proud smile.
"Hey! What about me? Aren't you giving me anything?" Ron protested with feigned indignation, crossing his arms.
Meliradal looked at him with amusement, though there was also a hint of seriousness.
"I don't know much about your powers, but perhaps a mutual friend of mine and Golden's might teach you something if you're lucky enough to cross paths with him along your journey. Otherwise, you'll need to seek out a master from the Fuerte family who can guide you."
"Are you talking about that guy ?" Golden interjected immediately, his tone laced with irritation.
"I hope not. And that's all I'm going to say about that," Meliradal added, crossing her arms with evident annoyance.
Meliradal let out a soft laugh, as if dealing with mischievous children.
"Oh, I see! You two are still at odds. You really act like children… But, well, I hope you resolve your differences someday."
Finally, Mok approached Meliradal, bowing respectfully.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Meliradal," he said warmly.
The priestess gently stroked his head, as if addressing an old friend she hadn't seen in ages.
"The pleasure is mine, little butler. Take care of yourself, and don't forget to use those rings wisely."
With a final bow, the group departed, leaving behind the sanctuary and the ethereal figure of Meliradal, who watched them leave with a mixture of nostalgia and hope.
Everyone exited the temple, leaving behind its sacred and mysterious aura, and headed toward the place Paltio had seen in his vision, guided by Meliradal. The boy broke the silence with a mix of nervousness and determination.
"It's in some kind of ancient castle," Paltio explained, pointing toward the horizon with trembling fingers.
Galatea frowned slightly upon hearing him, as if the boy's words had awakened dark memories.
"Do you mean the Forgotten Castle?" she asked, her voice resonating with a graver tone than usual.
"The Forgotten Castle!" they all repeated in unison, as if the name itself evoked a collective shiver.
"Yes, it's to the east of here. It'll take us a couple of hours to get there, but they say that place is cursed," Galatea remarked, crossing her arms as she gazed toward where the castle was supposed to be. Her expression grew somber, as if she could see ghosts floating in the distance.
Paltio swallowed hard, trying to mask his fear. His hands trembled slightly, but he managed to speak with determination.
"Anyway, we need that piece to search for clues about Avocios's whereabouts," he said, attempting to convince himself as much as the others.
Without another word, they set off toward the location. Galatea's daughters, Ragil and Maxin, walked together hand in hand, their pale faces illuminated by the faint glow of the moon. They feared encountering ghosts or apparitions, though Ron did his best to hide his own fear behind a show of feigned bravery.
"I don't believe in those things—ghosts, curses, all that stuff is just stories to scare children," Ron declared, though his forced laugh betrayed his true anxiety.
Mok, on the other hand, was the only one who showed no emotion at the prospect of entering the cursed castle. His face remained impassive, like a living statue. Pax, however, kept one hand firmly gripping the hilt of his sword, ready to unsheathe it at the slightest sign of danger.
Finally, they arrived. The castle loomed before them like a colossal shadow: blackened by mold, its broken windows resembling hollow eyes and its shattered doors creaking in the wind. It was a desolate sight, as if time itself had abandoned it.
"It's here," Galatea announced solemnly, her voice resonating in the cold air.
Ragil took a step back, clutching her sister Maxin's hand.
"I'll stay here with my sister," Ragil said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Very well," Galatea replied without argument. "You two will stay on guard."
"I want to stay too," Paltio interjected immediately, his voice trembling.
Ron let out a mocking laugh, though he couldn't entirely conceal his own tension.
"What's wrong, are you scared? Don't be such a chicken," he teased, giving Paltio a light tap on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, young master. I'm here to protect you," Mok intervened calmly, placing a reassuring hand on Paltio's shoulder. His tone was firm, almost paternal, as if trying to instill confidence in the boy.
"Bah! You're such a baby," Pax spat disdainfully, crossing his arms as he looked at Paltio with a mix of mockery and superiority. "As for me, I'm going in."
With steady steps, he positioned himself in front of the main door, his figure silhouetted against the gloom of the castle. His posture was defiant, almost arrogant, as if he were prepared to face not only the ghosts that might lurk inside but even the most fearsome dark forces the place could harbor. The dim light from the torch he held cast dancing shadows across his face, further hardening his resolute expression.
Alita, who had been silent for much of the journey, finally spoke. Her voice now sounded more confident, as if Nakia's presence had given her some reassurance.
"We're with you," she said, looking at Paltio with a warm smile. Her words felt sincere, filled with support and camaraderie.
Without further ado, the six of them entered the castle. Pax lit a torch with a small blue flame that flickered from his hand, illuminating the interior. The air smelled of dampness and decay, and every step they took caused the floor to creak beneath their feet, as if the entire castle were on the verge of collapsing at any moment.
They walked single file through the worn hallways, inspecting every corner in search of the scepter piece. The walls were covered in moss and cobwebs, and the echo of their footsteps reverberated constantly, a stark reminder of the place's desolation.
"Not yet, young master?" Mok asked quietly, walking beside Paltio with a protective demeanor.
"No, no… It's further ahead," the boy replied, clutching Mok's arm as if it were his only anchor amidst the chaos.
They continued to comb through the desolate hallways of the castle, their steps echoing like ghostly whispers in the dim light. It was then that Ron stopped in front of a dusty, crooked mirror hanging on one of the walls. His reflection stared back at him, and he couldn't help but admire himself with a hint of pride, as any vain citizen of Fuertelia might.
"But don't I look good?" he muttered to himself, adjusting his hair with a conceited gesture. "This power my grandfather gave me has definitely done something right…"
He stood mesmerized, gazing at his image in the mirror, until something changed. His own eyes were replaced by demonic ones—red and brimming with malice—that glared back at him from the glass. The boy stumbled backward, his heart racing.
"Ron! Stop fooling around!" Alita exclaimed impatiently, her voice bouncing off the decaying walls of the castle.
But Ron didn't seem ready to let it go. Pale-faced and wide-eyed, he frantically pointed at the mirror while struggling to articulate his thoughts.
"No, seriously! Something just happened there!" he insisted, his trembling voice laced with nervousness. "I saw something… something that shouldn't be there!"
Despite his insistence, Alita looked at him skeptically, as if dealing with a child making up stories for attention. Her expression was a mix of frustration and exhaustion.
"Ron, this is no time for your jokes," she retorted, crossing her arms as she turned away from the mirror, completely ignoring the distress in the boy's voice.
But Ron couldn't shake it off. The memory of those demonic eyes was seared into his mind, glowing with an intensity that seemed to burn even after he had moved away from the mirror. His breathing quickened as he tried to convince her, though he knew his words sounded unconvincing even to himself.
Alita looked at him incredulously, dismissing his claims entirely.
"Ron, stop making things up. We don't have time for this," she responded, frowning.
However, before they could continue arguing, the floor beneath them collapsed without warning. With a muffled cry, both Alita and Ron were swallowed by the darkness.
"Alita! Porcupine-haired boy!" Galatea exclaimed as she rushed to the spot where the two had been standing, only to see her own reflection in the large mirror that now stood ominously before her.
"It's Ron, but 'porcupine-haired boy' suits him," Pax interjected with a mocking smile, though he quickly added, "Though it looks more like grass…" before letting out a stifled laugh.
"Hey, guys! Where are you?" Paltio called out, spinning on his heels as he scanned the area with eyes full of concern. His voice echoed through the empty hallways, but there was no response other than the hollow echo of his own question.
"Relax, they probably went off to do… things," Pax remarked sarcastically, crossing his arms with a mischievous grin.
"What do you mean?" Paltio asked, frowning in confusion. His expression betrayed both bewilderment and a hint of discomfort at Pax's comment.
Golden emerged from the seed in holographic form, floating beside Paltio with an amused expression that contrasted sharply with the gravity of the moment. His eyes gleamed with mischief as he observed the young man.
"Well, looks like you're slow on the uptake, kid," Golden teased, letting out a snicker. "Or maybe you just don't want to see what's right in front of you?"
Paltio opened his mouth to retort, but before he could utter a word, Pax interrupted with another laugh.
"Wow, why are you trembling, Paltio? I didn't think you were such a scaredy-cat," Golden chimed in mockingly, crossing his arms as he studied the boy with a playful yet challenging gaze. His holographic figure hovered just above the ground, radiating confidence that starkly contrasted with Paltio's nervousness.
The young man clenched his fists, trying to hide his trembling, but it was clear that Golden's words had struck a nerve.
"After all," Golden continued, leaning slightly toward him as if about to share a secret, "you fought giant cockroaches and venomous snakes all by yourself. I'm surprised, prince ."
The nickname was delivered with ironic emphasis, making Paltio tense even further. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, though he tried to maintain a Stoic expression. It was obvious that Golden was enjoying his discomfort, but there also seemed to be a hint of curiosity in his tone: was he genuinely testing how Paltio would react to his provocations?
Paltio gripped Mok's forearm tightly, attempting to steady himself against the rising anxiety.
"Well, I'm not afraid of the dark… but I am afraid of the things that make it creepy," he explained, his voice shaky.
Pax let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Maybe those two just needed some alone time," he quipped, winking at himself since he was still wearing his helmet.
"I doubt it," Mok replied seriously, carefully scanning the area.
Meanwhile, Paltio remained uneasy. Suddenly, something icy brushed against the back of his neck, followed by a barely audible whisper that sent shivers down his spine.
"Hey, guys! Did you hear that?" he asked, turning abruptly toward the others.
Mok looked at him calmly, though his expression betrayed a hint of concern.
"No, young master. I think it was your imagination. We should keep moving—surely your friends have gone ahead," the butler suggested, attempting to reassure him.
Pax nodded, though his eyes already showed signs of unease.
"Yes, let's get out of here quickly. This place is giving me chills…" he admitted, just as the torch he was holding suddenly went out.
"But who turned off the light?!" Pax protested, glancing around with growing anxiety.
"Hey! Why don't you light up your boots, prince ? Illuminate the place!" Pax suggested, pointing at the boy's feet.
Paltio was about to respond when strange voices began to echo in the darkness. They were unsettling murmurs that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
"Did you hear that?" Mok asked, his tone now more serious.
"Yes, I thought Paltio was just reacting out of fear… but I heard it too," Galatea confirmed, her voice heavy with tension.
The noises grew louder, morphing into low laughter and fragmented words. Then, a clear and menacing voice rang out in the air:
"You will die here."
The group froze for a moment, until Paltio snapped into action. He struck the soles of his boots together, activating a bright light that instantly illuminated the area. What they saw before them was so terrifying that it sent shivers down everyone's spines.